The "Chelsea Lately" comedian has a new stand-up residency in San Diego.

You recognize Michael Yo from the “Chelsea Lately” roundtable, but you’ll remember him for his stand-up show Hot Mess Comedy. At least that’s Yo’s intention -- honest storytelling, comedy inspired by real life, that resonates with the audience. The national tour now has a monthly residency at The American Comedy Co. You can check out Yo’s Hot Mess live on stage this Wednesday, March 13.

Yo is one of many personalities to earn a chair on Chelsea Handler’s comedian roundtable early in the E! game. And you’ll still find the former Texas radio host in the rotating lineup beside the likes of Ross Matthews, Heather McDonald and Chris Franjola. “Chelsea is so loyal. I just love her,” Yo tells me over the phone from his home base in L.A. “She made them household names, and they’re still on the show.”

Another staple character on Handler’s late night talk show is Jo Koy, who played a big part in Yo’s decision to give stand-up comedy a shot. With two years of experience under his belt, Yo is now fine tuning his Hot Mess act. The format of the show is similar to “Chelsea Lately,” as Yo invites three or four up-and-coming comics to join the fun. “As an entertainer, I need to continue to grow. I bring comedians around me, so I can grow within the show,” Yo explains. And it’s great exposure for the new comedians, too. “One thing Chelsea always told me is, if you ever have an opportunity to give back to the industry, you do it.”

Giveaway: First five people to email guestlist@michael... will win free tickets to the Wednesday show at American Comedy Co.

The heart of Yo’s act is his family dynamic. The self-described “half-black brother with a Korean mother" talks a lot about growing up in mixed-race home. On why he makes comedy so personal: “I went to this comedy club with Jo Koy, and the headliner just killed it. He did great, everyone was laughing. But after the show, we didn’t remember his name or anything about his life,” he says. “Jo pointed out that the comedian didn’t reveal anything about himself, so we didn’t remember him.” Yo took Koy’s advice to make it personal and speak the truth. He soon realized that his upbringing is funny to other people, because they didn’t experience it firsthand. It’s as simple as that. “Just be real. Story telling is coming back. It’s how you establish a fan base.”

The American Comedy Co. sold out five straight shows with Yo, making Hot Mess Comedy a reoccurring night every month. On his San Diego residency: “It’s one of the best venues in the country, so intimate. The owners love comedy, they get it right,” he says. “I was getting tired of traveling past Texas. I wanted a home away from home club, and I found it. It’s where I go to try new things out.”

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